During the first few weeks of university new students are exploring unfamiliar territory. As freshmen, we’ve officially left the nest. While some students may rejoice over the newfound freedom that accompanies no longer living at home, others may start to feel the effects of homesickness and loneliness. A student’s living situation can be the make or break factor in determining his/her feelings during these first few weeks away from home. Many factors including: whether or not you were assigned to a “good” residence hall, how you decorate your room, the types of people on your floor, and most importantly your roommate are all crucial in setting the mood for the start of your freshman here.
Roommates are a key part of the “college experience.” It all begins with the roommate selection process, which is a somewhat anxiety-inducing situation in this day and age. Thanks to the advancement of technology and the invention of social networking websites we, as a population, have said goodbye to the days of freshman showing up on move-in day and finding out with whom they will be sharing a room. Haunted by the horror stories about “the roommate from hell” nowadays, many incoming freshman choose to room with a friend or acquaintance. Meanwhile, others opt for the truly 21st century method of finding a roommate: Facebook. On the other hand, some brave students chose to risk it all by using the university’s random partnering system. Are those of us who opted for the school’s system “old school?” and since when did the roommate selection process become a form of online dating?
I agree, I did potluck for my roommate assignment and while we are not the best of friends we manage to live together. While potluck isn’t a perfect option, college is about new experiences and taking chances. Often time’s people chose the safer option of rooming with someone they know which can be nice but sometimes it turn out badly because people often cling to their roommate as a safety net. But if someone feels really inclined to do that then I can really blame them.
ReplyDeleteWhat is really strange to me however, like you said was the facebook method of finding your roommate. It is even worse than potluck because let’s face it, you are making your choice based off of a default picture, tagged pictures and what they said in the little profile they might have filled out. While I hope whoever did this was happy with their decisions there is something so superficial and strange about picking your roommate as if you were picking a soul mate on match.com.
I have to agree that finding a roomate over facebook is a bit odd. I think that it is superficial and that it is weird to have a cyber relationship with someone before you have even come in contact with them. They can automatically judge who you are depending on the interests you list, your pictures, and the comments left on your wall. We judge people through a very superficial form over facebook. Although, it is weird and probably not the best way to do it. We are all guilty of judging people over facebook and deciding whether or not we would be okay living with them.
ReplyDeleteI did potluck and I was so nervous about it. My roommate and I get along, but we are pretty different. I wish I could say she's my friend, but she's just not yet. I'm pretty happy that she isn't the "roommate from hell" though! I know I could have NEVER lived with my best friend, but that works wonderfully for some people.I think that no matter which way you decide to pick your roommate there will be struggles along the way.
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